TANKARD – Kings Of Beer

TANKARD - Kings Of Beer
  • 7/10
    TANKARD - Kings Of Beer - 7/10
7/10

Summary

Locomotive Records
Release date: March 13, 2007

Sending
User Review
0/10 (0 votes)

Tankard is one of those bands that have been releasing albums while keeping their music style pretty much unchanged. The German band will celebrate their 25th anniversary by releasing Best Case Scenario: 25 Years In Beers in August 2007 through AFM Records. Their long and strong relationship with beer started with the first gig in a classroom back on May 28, 1983. The story tells that they had to pour beer in milk cartons, which they consumed while playing, since alcohol was not allowed in school. Well, apart from the beer stories, the band has composed historical songs like “(Empty) Tankard,” “Space Beer,” “Alcohol” and many more, combining traditional 80s Thrash Metal with a twist of humor. AFM records has decided to reissue Kings Of Beer, through Locomotive Records, that was originally released in 2000 to celebrate the band’s 25 years of relentless beer consumption.

The straightforward Thrasher “Flirtin’ With Desaster” opens the album, introducing the “gold” blend of Punk and Thrash Metal that made Tankard known to the Metal scene. Andreas Geremia implements his flat, yet screaming harsh vocals, following the Punk pattern. “Dark Exile” brings a sing-a-long chorus and a fast guitar solo, while “Hot Dog Inferno” and “Hell Bent For Jesus” bear the old-school Trash atmosphere of the 80s. The staccato rhythm of the self-sarcastic “Kings Of Beer” talks about Tankard’s point of view towards Metal that is pretty much respected by every Metalhead. Self-sarcasm is also the main subject in the Punk-driven “I’m Sorry,” where Geremia talks about his choice of becoming a Metal singer (it’s hilarious).

Things get pretty heavy in the mid-tempo “Talk Show Prostitute” and the faster “Incredible Loudness.” “Land Of The Free” is a classic headbanger that brings to mind Metallica of the Kill ‘em All-era, and includes some pretty cool guitar leads. The double drum pedaling opens for the track “Mirror, Mirror” that some decades before could have been tagged with the label “Crossover,” initially introduced by bands like D.R.I.. The last track of the original release is another Tankard classic entitled “Tattoo Coward.”

The reissue comes with a bonus track that is Tankard’s in-your-face edition of the Metallica all-time classic song “Damage, Inc.”

There’s nothing groundbreaking in Kings Of Beer apart from the classic and above all honest traditional Thrash (Beer) Metal from a band that is better to watch on-stage than in the studio. The best way to close this review is by quoting some lyrics from the classic track “(Empty) Tankard” … ”We need another beer!”

Author

  • Dr. Dimitris Kontogeorgakos

    Dimitris was a reviewer and interviewer here at Metal Express Radio. He has a diploma in Physics, a Masters in Medical Physics and a doctorate dimploma in Nuclear Medicine (this is the reason for his Dr. title). He was given his first Heavy Metal tape at the age of 12 which was a compilation entitled Scandinavian Metal Attack. The music immediately drew his attention and there he was listening to the first Iron Maiden album, trying to memorize the names of the band members. That was it! After some years, he stopped recording tapes and started buying vinyl records, spending every penny in the local record shop. The first live concert he attended was Rage co-headlining with Running Wild.

    View all posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.